Laughter

So, it is Sunday and it is a gorgeous day in Jamaica. It has been very windy because of the tropical storms and for the past two nights I've been unsure when I woke up in the middle of the night if I wasn't in a hurricane, the noise of the wind was so loud. 

We are supposed to leave tomorrow but as we fly into Orlando airport, our flights may be canceled. I haven't been able to look yet. Internet has been such a luxury to me for the past three weeks...it's hardly ever accessible and when it is, not for very long periods of time. Here in Jamaica, there is only internet in the business center if you buy time and who wants to sit in the business center in Jamaica??

One of the biggest things that I will have taken from my trip, both to Bali and to Jamaica, is laughter. It comes so readily to both cultures and is so refreshing and just lovely to be around. I find myself being happy just smiling at strangers who are laughing together. When I think back on this month traveling to these two countries, I will hear the sound of laughter and remember the beautiful smiles.

Bali Beauty

I've had so many great experiences here in Bali. Mostly having to do with the amazing people that I have met at the High Vibes yoga retreat at Soulshine. It was so fulfilling.

Landing in Denpassar almost two weeks ago with a girl I met on the plane coming from California who sells the clothes she buys in Bali at hippie fests across her own state, getting my visa, searching desperately for my driver amongst a throng of people outside, getting hit on shamelessly by said driver the entire way into Ubud who kept telling me "I am single now" (as if I could take advantage of the opportunity) being dropped off right before sundown in a strange place all by myself feeling a bit apprehensive.

Settling in, finding the yoga retreat online, signing up and diving into one of the best things I could have done for myself. If you ever thought about doing a retreat that concerns your passion...yoga, surfing, writing, whatever...DO IT! I met the best people, and more importantly, learned a few things about myself. What more can you ask for in a two week trip?

Thank you God, again, for yoga.

2nd day in Bali

So, for my second and third nights I am staying in a place called Kenanga Hotel. This place is absolutely stunning. When you hear hotel or resort in America you automatically have an image in your mind. You can't do that exactly in Bali. The first place was also a resort. And while it was a beautiful surrounding, it was nothing like this place. Kenanga has 15 rooms total and it is breathtaking. I'm not sure what the rest of my stay here holds but I am so glad that I stayed here.

All in all, I will end up staying in 6 different lodgings, the last one being someone's personal home that I found on a bed and breakfast website. So, I will definitely get some different viewpoints on where to stay in Bali. I hope to use that knowledge at a future point in time when I return. :)

If you are coming to Bali, don't expect perfection in everything. Or should I say, it is perfectly imperfect. It is nothing like what I am used to and therefore exactly what I needed. This is how it is in Bali. You take the good with the bad. There is no American perfection and high strung expectations. You must relax.

However, I had a facial yesterday that literally seemed like I left my body, that's how beyond perfect it was. Her fingers were like magic. I asked her to marry me but she just laughed nervously so I think that was a no. :)

Literally, I am just starting to get into the swing of things here. I ended up finding a yoga retreat after all and it starts this afternoon so I am excited to meet these girls, meditate, learn some nutrition and different types of yoga, including anusara and more yin.

1st pics

Gods, construction and crazy drivers. 

View from the front of room, 1st night.

Outside Bath Area. 

Settling In...

So, I am in Bali, lovelies...
It is 2:30 in the morning, the crickets are peacefully chirping, the mosquito net is placed romantically around the bed (I don't know why but I always think of the movie Out of Africa when I see a mosquito net, when I should really be thinking, 'don't get malaria') and I just woke up out of a strange dream to the sound of a kind of tapping on my window. I think it might have been a monkey because I staked out the window for a good amount of time and saw nothing. First night here. It is amazingly beautiful but completely different from what I know or expected so it will take a couple of days I think to settle into the rhythm of it.

Today doesn't really count although I have already experienced a few things that I will place in my memory pocket. But I am still very much out of sorts from traveling, feel dead in the head, which is understandable from 35 hours of travel and layovers. It will be worth the effort of the trip, I can feel it in my bones.

I am staying right now at a place called Alam Shanti which is down the street from Monkey Forest so it's only a matter of time before I see some of them and their shenanigans! I guess they are just constantly taking whatever they can off of you if you're not careful. Backpack only, nothing hanging out of bags and no food, unless you want to give it to them. :) Tomorrow, I hope to go walk to the forest first thing after breakfast...

My room is surrounded by these water gardens to the front and back. The toilet is located outside of my room (enclosed within a stone wall) and looking at one of these water gardens, which is so lovely, but at the same time...I just keep envisioning a monkey coming and staring at me nervously while I pee, so yes...I am holding it until the morning. :) It is a lovely view from the toilet though. Lol.

Just felt like checking in. I will do more of it about my trip including pictures, maybe during...maybe after. We'll see how it goes. Good night, morning, or afternoon! Whatever time zone you may be!